The SolarFix NI Junior Cup and Shield kicks-off this weekend with 16-games down for decision across both competitions.
This season’s competitions will feature all Championship 1 and 2 teams along with 12 AIL 2nd XV in a straight knock-out format with both finals being held at Affidea Stadium on 28th December.
The Junior Cup and Shield also welcomes a new partner with local solar energy firm SolarFix NI coming on board as title sponsor.
For information on SolarFix NI and their products, please click here
With holders Enniskillen being promoted to the senior ranks, a new name will be engraved on the trophy for the first time in three years.
Eight time winners Ballymena 2XV last won the Junior Cup in the 2004/05 season and on Saturday, they welcome Lurgan to Eaton Park.
Lurgan come into the tie high in confidence following their win over Belfast Harlequins last week, while Saturday will be Ballymena’s first outing of the season.
Further on down the A26, Ballymoney will host Ballyclare 2XV at Kilraughts Road while at the Thomas Mellon Playing Fields, Omagh host Malone 2XV.
There’s a SolarFix Junior Cup double header at Shaw’s Bridge with Cooke hosting Banbridge 2XV and Instonians 2XV welcoming Portadown to South Belfast.
Championship 1 leaders Dromore won the Town’s Cup last season, and they’ll no doubt be aiming to add the Junior Cup to their trophy cabinet. They take on City of Armagh 2XV at Barben Hill.
Finally, nine-time winners Dungannon 2XV will welcome Bangor to Stevenson Park.
In the SolarFix NI Junior Shield, there’s a repeat of last season’s final with holders Ards taking on Randalstown at Hamilton Park. Ards will be hoping that home advantage will help them to another win over as they seek a return to Affidea Stadium.
But perhaps the tie of the round is in the North-West where unbeaten Strabane and City of Derry clash at Bradley Way. City of Derry have already shown considerable signs of improvement from last season, but they know they’ll have a fight on their hands against a Strabane team buoyed by last week’s 43-17 win in Randalstown.
At Belmont, C.I.Y.M.S. welcome Lisburn. The East Belfast side have started Championship 2 with two wins in as many games, and they will no doubt be targeting an extended run in the Junior Shield.
2024/25 winners Carrickfergus host Queens University 2XV at Tom Simms Memorial Park, while at Rugby Avenue, Coleraine will be hoping for a second win of the season over Larne.
Championship 1 pacesetters Limavady are on the road to Fermanagh to face Enniskillen 2XV, while Letterkenny travel to South Derry to take on Rainey 2XV.
Academy staged a remarkable comeback last week against Carrickfergus, before being pipped at the death. They’ll be hoping to replicate their second half showing from the off when they welcome Clogher Valley 2XV to Roughfort.
SolarFix NI Junior Cup Round 1
Ballymena 2XV v Lurgan
Ballymoney v Ballyclare 2XV
Cooke v Banbridge 2XV
Dromore v City of Armagh 2XV
Dungannon 2XV v Bangor
Instonians 2XV v Portadown
Omagh v Malone 2XV
SolarFix NI Junior Shield
Academy v Clogher Valley 2XV
Ards v Randalstown
C.I.Y.M.S. v Lisburn
Carrickfergus v Queens University 2XV
Coleraine v Larne
Enniskillen 2XV v Limavady
Rainey 2 v Letterkenny
Strabane v City of Derry
Championship 3 also kicks-off this weekend with five matches taking place.
The stand-out tie in this weekend is the clash of Donaghadee and B.H.S.F.P. at Donaldson Park.
Both sides came close to promotion last season, and they’ll harbour ideas of going one step further this term.
Virginia host Monaghan at Deerpark in another game that involves two teams with promotion ideas.
Two newcomers to Championship 3, Ulster University and Grosvenor clash in Coleraine, while Newry host Civil Service and P.S.N.I. get their campaign underway with a home clash against County Cavan.
All games kick-off at 2.30pm.